CRDA Announces the 2013 Vacation Ownership ConferenceCRDAThe Canadian Resort Development Association announces the 2013 Vacation Ownership Conference. "VO-CON" will be held in Vancouver, BC on October 22-23. VO-CON's mandate is "Exploring The Business Of Vacations". The event will bring vacation ownership industry executives together for one-and-a-half days of networking and learning. To be profiled as an official sponsor or speaker, please click read more.

CRDA's Vacation Ownership Industry Buyers GuideCRDAWe are pleased to announce the launch of the Canadian Vacation Ownership Industry Buyers Guide, a digital resource brought to you by Multiview in partnership with CRDA. Multiview is the leading provider of digital media solutions for the association world. Use the Buyers Guide to perform either keyword or category-specific searches. Both methods produce the most industry-relevant results, which saves you valuable time and money. Additionally, the Buyers Guide features our Product Showcase that highlights new products and innovations.

Interval Platinum hits milestone 100,000 membersBusiness WireInterval International, a prominent worldwide provider of vacation services and an operating business of Interval Leisure Group, announced that more than 100,000 families are now enrolled in Interval PlatinumSM, its most prestigious membership level. Launched two years ago, the program is receiving an overwhelmingly positive response from members and resort clients.

Koloa Landing at Poipu Beach in Hawaii added to the Registry Collection program's network of affiliated resortsWyndham Worldwide The Registry Collection, the world's largest luxury exchange program, recently welcomed Koloa Landing at Poipu Beach to its network of affiliated resorts. The Registry Collection currently offers more than 200 vacation options either available for exchange or under development in 40 countries. "Koloa Landing at Poipu Beach is a welcome addition to The Registry Collection program," said Gregg Anderson, global vice president, The Registry Collection.

Cottage development aims to be family-friendlyVancouver SunWe're heading out of town and we'd like to invite you along. For much of the year, we at Westcoast Homes work to bring you profiles of some of the new-home developments that are transforming the residential landscape of Metro Vancouver. They may be the towers that are changing the skyline of Surrey's urban core, the townhomes that are rising along some of Vancouver's main arterials or the single-family residences now dotting the slopes of Coquitlam's Burke Mountain.

Tourism income looking decent, even on HatterasThe Couter Banks VoiceA financial recap for the first quarter provided by Dare County's Tourism Board was mostly positive. Tax collections on retail sales were up 2.39 per cent for the first two months of 2013, with a total of almost $4.4 million. Gross meal sales were up slightly in the first quarter, posting a 2.5 per cent increase over 2012 with $21.7 million in revenues.

What is shared ownership?The Huffington PostThe most typical question I am asked is: "So what is this shared ownership, this part buy part rent thing?" I go on to explain that it's a fantastic product, supported by the U.K. government, that helps people to get a foot on the property ladder. The purchaser buys as much of a share in the property as they can afford, and pays a low rent on the remainder. In time, they can buy the rest and own the property outright.

Canadian recreational property market buoyed by low interest ratesCalgary HeraldContinued low interest rates are having a positive impact on the Canadian recreational real estate market, says a survey by Royal LePage. The survey, which polled Canadians across the country who either currently own or intend to purchase a recreational property within the next five years, found that 82 per cent say interest rates will influence their decision to purchase a recreational property and 58 per cent feel added urgency to buy a recreational property while interest rates are low.

Kerzner inks deal for first Saudi One&Only resortArabian BusinessLuxury resort operator Kerzner International Hotels Limited, the company that built the Atlantis resort on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah, has signed a deal to develop the first One&Only Resort in Saudi in Jeddah on the Red Sea, it was announced. Kerzner signed the partnership for the hotel with Saudi developer Al Khozama Management Company and operator Saudi Oger.

Cottage development aims to be family-friendlyVancouver SunWe're heading out of town and we'd like to invite you along. For much of the year, we at Westcoast Homes work to bring you profiles of some of the new-home developments that are transforming the residential landscape of Metro Vancouver.

Vacation rentals bounce backGreater Wilmington Business JournalWith Memorial Day coming up and marking the unofficial start to the summer travel season, local companies are keeping a hopeful eye on the vacation rental housing market for the area's beaches.

Frustration rising over investment board delayBahamas TribuneFrustration is mounting among Bahamian attorneys, realtors and their clients over Investments Board approval backlogs of up to two-three months, with the delays costing both the private sector and the Government much-needed revenue.

IFA Hotels and Resorts announces $21.3 million Q1 profitTravel DailyIFA Hotels & Resorts announced its quarter one results with a profit of $21.3 million and total income reaching $44 million, an increase of 283 per cent compared to the same period last year. Earnings per share increased 783 per cent, from a loss of one cent in Q1 2012 to a profit of five cents in 2013.

Google, Nasa and universities to timeshare quantum computerWired,co.ukA Google announcement explains that the computer will be part of a Quantum Artificial Intelligence Lab located at Nasa's Ames Research Centre. According to Forbes, the actual contract for the machine is between D-Wave and the Universities Space Research Association and so 20 per cent of the available time will also be dedicated to university research teams.

Details of Hamilton Princess $70 million renovationBernewsThe Green family, Bermudian owners of The Fairmont Hamilton Princess, announced details of major renovation plans designed to enhance the property, and have increased the budget for renovations from $50 million to $70 million.
The renovation project will be conducted in phases to minimise disruption to hotel guests, with the first phase scheduled to begin this winter after the destination's peak season.

The 35 best island resorts for foodConde Nast TravelerFor years, a Caribbean or South Pacific vacation often meant in exchange for picture perfect sunsets on white sand beaches surviving on second-rate fare of greasy hamburgers and limp vegetables that had traveled on a slow boat from the mainland. No longer. Island resorts have been improving their restaurants, with star chefs helming the kitchens and locally grown ingredients bringing a freshness and diversity to menus. Here, from our annual Readers Choice Awards poll, are the 35 properties that score highest for food on islands around the world.